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Trip from Centennial, CO to Silverthorne, CO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

78.9 mi

127 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Centennial, CO, CO

Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Silverthorne, CO, CO

Silverthorne, CO

Jacob Moore

Trip Overview

This 78.9-mile journey from Centennial, Colorado to Silverthorne, Colorado is a straightforward day trip, estimated to take about 1 hour and 39 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $12, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes local roads like East Panorama Circle, South Chester Street, and East Dry Creek Road, with no highway driving involved. This makes it a turn-heavy local drive, perfect for those who prefer navigating city streets and suburban landscapes over open highways. Given the short duration and distance, it's easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.4 miles from Centennial, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 54.7 mi 1h 6m
South Valley Highway 12.5 mi 15m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 7.6 mi 9m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Blue River Parkway 0.4 mi 1m
East Dry Creek Road 0.3 mi <1m
US 6 0.1 mi <1m
East Panorama Circle 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 70 — 54.7 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centennial, CO and Silverthorne, CO.

1

Start on this road

495 ft · 41 sec · this road
2

Turn left

118 ft · 10 sec
3

Turn right onto East Panorama Circle

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Panorama Circle
4

Turn right onto South Chester Street

384 ft · 14 sec · South Chester Street
5

Turn right onto CR 46

0.3 mi · 46 sec · East Dry Creek Road
6

Turn left

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 25 North Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 25

13 mi · 15 min · South Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 209A-B Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 209B Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 6

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 6

0.1 mi · 10 sec · US 6
Toward US 6
12

Merge onto US 6

7.6 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 70

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 6 East, CO 9 North: Silverthorne, Dillon
16

Keep slight right at fork

296 ft · 7 sec
Toward CO 9 North: Silverthorne
17

Merge onto CO 9

0.4 mi · 1 min · Blue River Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on CO 9

129 ft · 11 sec · Blue River Parkway
Use the left lane.
19

Arrive at destination

CO 9

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 39-minute trip covering 78.9 miles, starting your drive mid-morning can help you avoid the busiest local traffic. With no highway driving and a $12 estimated fuel cost, you have plenty of flexibility. You won't need to plan for extensive rest stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you navigate the numerous turns. Since it's a short, turn-heavy route, familiarize yourself with the main roads—East Panorama Circle, South Chester Street, and East Dry Creek Road—before you depart to ensure a smooth transition between each segment.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.4 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 17 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.4 miles or 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Silverthorne, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Centennial, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Centennial, CO

This is one driving day of about 78.9 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Centennial, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 54.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Evergreen, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Evergreen, CO

39 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Lakewood, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Evergreen, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Centennial, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Denver, Colorado

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 14min in 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lakewood, Colorado

2.4 mi

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Aurora, Colorado

2.9 mi

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13039880755

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+13036580870

Visit website

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $50 to $60

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17203899544

Visit website

Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13035672421

Visit website

House Of Immersions

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 2–9:30 pm

+13037441008

Visit website

Belmar Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13039877800

Visit website

Museum of Outdoor Arts

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Colorado Adventure Center - Zipline & Ropes Course

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17207071885

Visit website

Civic Center Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Big Blue Bear

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Epic Escape Game

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Denver, Colorado

+13033776060

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 22.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward I 25 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 25 North
5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 25 / South Valley Highway

Merge onto I 25 / South Valley Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.4 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 209A-B Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
9
13.6 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 209B Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
22.6 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.89 one way

$23.78 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $12.59 $25.17
premium $4.39 $13.65 $27.30
diesel $5.61 $17.42 $34.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.7 0 $8.28 $3.79
Efficient EV 19.7 0 $6.90 $3.16
EV Truck/SUV 31.6 0 $11.05 $5.05

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Centennial, CO

Late night in Centennial on Tuesday

Local time

2:45 AM

MDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Silverthorne, CO

Late night in Silverthorne on Tuesday

Local time

2:45 AM

MDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

11 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 39m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entire 78.9 miles, as this route has a 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of uninterrupted driving; instead, anticipate frequent turns and a more engaged experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, suggesting a continuous series of intersections and road changes. This type of drive means you'll be navigating through various local environments, rather than cruising on a main highway. The character remains consistent throughout, offering a steady pace with constant directional adjustments.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on I 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.9 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 25 / South Valley Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Centennial, CO to Silverthorne, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.

Lakewood

13.6 mi in | ~18m

About the Cities

Starting in Centennial, CO

Full guide →

Founded 2001

Centennial is a suburban city of about 106,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Arapahoe County southeast of Denver.

Top landmarks

  • • Seventeen Mile House — historic site in Centennial, Colorado

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 78.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Silverthorne, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 25 / South Valley Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Silverthorne, CO before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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